Field Hudnall is known throughout the waterfowling industry as not only a championship caller, but a videographer and waterfowl video personality. Field has recently gone into business for himself, forming the company Field Proven Productions, as well as, partnering with the owners of Habitat Flats to form a second company called Habitat Flats Productions. Field is also member of the Avery Outdoors and Rich-N-Tone Calls pro-staffs.

There is just too much to talk about with you for one interview, so let’s just catch up on your recent activity and where things are headed for you. However, before we get into business, I heard you’ve now been married about a year and planning on moving back to Kentucky. Is this true?

Field: I will be married for a year come August 30^th and I gotta say, it is one of the best moves I have made. Along with my brother Clay, she is my best friend…along with being my wife. (Laughing) In this business you gotta find a girl that understands the lifestyle for it to work. She loves to hunt and fish, just as much as I do, so it works out great.

I would love to move back to Kentucky, but that is not an option just yet. Kentucky is where I am from and that is where my heart is. I love the hills, the Ohio River, turkeys, deer, good people…heck…I just love Kentucky. My wife and I currently own a house in Ohio that seems like we cannot give away. Trying to sell a house these days is like trying to sell ice to Eskimos. Once we sell our house, we will either move to Kentucky, Iowa or Missouri. Iowa is where Jess is from and it is nice and Missouri is where a lot of my work will be taking place; so any of those three would be okay with me. People think I am crazy, but I would love to have one of those big motor homes and live out of it for a year or two. (Chuckle) I could have all my editing equipment in it and home and work would be wherever my wife and I were at that given time.   

Well a late congrats on your marriage! How did you meet Jessica?

Field: It seems like my whole life has always been hunting related in some sort or fashion…meeting my wife qualifies also. I was in Iowa on a video project with Avery territory manager Travis Mueller and he suggested that we go to his parents’ house for dinner. While we were there, I saw a picture of a good looking blond on the refrigerator. I asked who it was and Travis avoided the whole topic with a quick response…“My sis”. “OHH  REEEALLLYYYY!!!!!” was my immediate response. She met us for dinner and that is the rest of the story. (Laughing)

What led to go out on your own and form Field Proven Productions?

Field: I am super excited about Field Proven Productions and Habitat Flats Productions for we have plans on creating some unique productions inside and outside the waterfowl industry. We have some ideas that we hope will be enjoyed by the hunting public. I know that everyone has different taste in what they like to see in video, so we just like to try to make sure we have a little something for everyone. Our team is made up of a group of guys that all bring something to the table. We are all different personalities and have different knowledge backgrounds that help us in achieving our final goal…that is to create unique, entertaining and instructional productions that promote the sport of waterfowling in a positive way. I know that may sound like a political response, but rest assured I don’t understand politics enough to give a political response. We are no better than the next guy, I just feel we have a great team and we are in a good position to produce some “interesting” productions in the future.     

Tell me how Field Proven Productions works? Will you be filming and producing your own series of videos, TV programming or will you be partnering with others to film and produce videos with or for them?

Field: I don’t consider any video production “my own” it takes the hard work of a great team to pull off a TV show or a full length video production. Many people commit many hours of hard work and sweat to make the whole thing come together. Field Proven Productions will be doing some side video production work, but the majority of my time is going to be committed to Habitat Flats Productions (HFP). I am always open to working on new and interesting projects that might come to the table. Let’s face it…in today’s economy, none of us can afford to pass up possible work if it means being able to put food on the table.  

So if an outfitter wants a short promo DVD to send out to potential customers, would you do that type of video as well? How about TV commercials for outdoor companies?

Field: Right now I am mainly focusing on this fall’s full length hunting productions, but I am always open to discuss ideas with new potential customers/sponsors. We do have customers/sponsors that we are building some unique promotional clips for and they seem to be pretty happy with the results.

Now will you be involved with marketing and selling the videos or just in the filming, editing, and the actual production of the physical DVD or television footage? Do you have any video projects currently in the works?

Field: Being a business owner you have to wear many different hats. I am pretty much involved with all aspects of the business just as Tony Vandemore, Ira McCauley and Aaron McCauley are. They are my partners and we all have our plates full of duties and responsibilities. Hunting on camera is just a small part of the overall picture. We just finished up our first production under the Habitat Flats brand which is our Snow Goose Video called F5 “Buried In Snows”. It was a fun project to work on and now we are getting everything lined up for this fall. We are excited about several projects on the table, which will include Duck hunting, Goose Hunting, a couple calling instructional videos and a couple videos that I don’t quite want to let out of the bag just yet.

I also understand that you offer calling instruction through Field Proven Productions. Are you offering group classes, individual instruction, or event seminars?  

Field: I do offer calling instruction and it can be arranged as group classes or individual instruction. I do like to keep the classes to a maximum of 5 people, so that it is still personal and everyone gets the important one on one attention, which is what really helps people learn. The quickest way to learn to blow a call properly is by having someone there that can effectively trouble shoot the problems that arise. Helping people get better at calling ducks and geese is one of my favorite things to do. I was fortunate to have good instructions accessible to me and I like to offer it as well. 

How did you come to partner with Tony Vandermore, Ira McCauley and the rest of the guys at Habitat Flats? How does this partnership fit into your own company?

Field: I met Tony a long time ago, through working with Avery Outdoors. When Tony and I met, we hit it off, right off the bat. Through the years of friendship and work we were able to work on a few projects that proved successful, which showed both of us that we work great together. When it comes to waterfowl hunting and waterfowl habitat management, Tony is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met. He also hunts more than anyone I have ever met… which there are a bunch of us still trying to figure how he pulls that off. (Laughing) But really that is what it takes to be great at what you love…you have to get out there and do it. Tony, Ira, Aaron and Dan Daugherity have Habitat Flats, which is a full operational guide service…and a dang good one at that I might add. But we decided to add the video production aspect to it, which is where we now have Habitat Flats Productions. Habitat Flats Productions will be the brand that all our videos will be released under.  

What is the scope of the Habitat Flats Production’s partnership? Are you looking to produce a television show, an annual video series, or a single video to show case their outfitting business?  

Field: Our goal is promotion, entertainment and instruction. So where ever that takes us we will go. One day, I would like to do television, but right now our goal is to produce an annual video series. Who knows what the future holds for us or where we will end up, but I guarantee it will be one heck of a ride. (Chuckle)   

Will the Habitat Flats Production video products be filmed exclusively in Missouri? What can viewers expect to see in the Habitat Flats video products? Will it be all waterfowl?

Field: A large part of video work will be shot in Missouri, but not all of it. We want to create a series of videos that all hunters can relate to. I don’t want to say too much, too early, but we want to produce projects that offer everything from how to hunt on a budget, to capturing and showcasing some of the most phenomenal wildlife footage ever captured.

As you mentioned, Habitat Flats Productions first video F5 “Buried In Snows” has just been released and is shipping out to dealers and customers alike. Can you describe what viewers will see in this video?

Field: We wanted this video to be unique in several ways. We wanted to show the high packed action that snow goose hunting should be known for and we also wanted to show the lifestyle of the guys that live for this experience. Our cameras were rolling almost nonstop during the spring conservation order and we wanted to show the real side of a snow goose guide camp. Nothing is fake nor staged…we actually almost ruined a couple very expensive cameras trying to get too real. (Laughing) The best thing about what you will see is that the group of guys does this every year…cameras or no cameras. They are not there to act or to be movie stars…in fact most of them tried to avoid the cameras…I would not let them. (Laughing) You will hear them gripe and complain, but they love what they do…even if they can’t sleep more than 2 to 4 hours a night. I think the most talked about segments of the video, include several flocks of snows that have been reported as the largest decoying flocks ever captured on video, the comical guide camp segment that is almost considered “disgusting and vial” (Laughing), Tony’s dog “Ruff” having so much drive and determination that he almost ended his own hunting career, and of course the last day of the season where we totaled over 250 birds in one day. Me personally…I am not a snow goose hunter…I enjoy shooting them, but when it comes to hunting these critters…I just sit back and enjoy the show as the guys do what they do best.

What’s up next for Habitat Flats Productions?

Field: Well…right now, we are making sure we are lined up for this next fall. Hunting grounds are looking good, cameras and equipment are getting cleaned and reorganized and we are just waiting for opening day, just like everyone else is. Man I can’t wait!!!!!!!!!

I had the opportunity to be out with you guys this past spring during the spring snow goose season and got to see first hand a very interesting service that you and Habitat Flats offer called “Memories Forever.” Would you mind telling our readers about this service? 

Field: Well our “Memories Forever” service is a service that we offer to clients that book hunts with Habitat Flats. If people decide to purchase this video package we will make sure we have professional experienced camera men go along with the group on their hunt. Our camera men will document the entire hunt and then we will make a personal DVD for each member of the group. This is a great way to have a great hunt and be able to re-live it time and time again for many years to come. It is a priceless piece of memorabilia for family members and friends. This past spring was the first year we offered it and all of our clients seemed to love it.     

Not that running Field Proven Productions and being a partner in Habitat Flats Productions isn’t enough; do you have any other plans for the near future?

Field: (Field Laughs and pauses)…that is a tough question. I think I have my plate full to last me a while.

Are you still competitively goose calling? With your new business ventures, do you plan to call competitively in the future at all? What call are you blowing for competitions now?

Field: I actually have decided to get back into competitive goose calling. Competitive goose calling has always been one of my favorite past times, next to hunting the real thing and it has allowed me to meet some great people and make great friends all over the country. The Mississippi Valley Calling Classic in Burlington Iowa last February was actually my first goose calling contest in two years. I was very fortunate to win that one and then I called in three more since then, not dropping below third place. I was very fortunate and lucky!!! (Laughing) There are a ton of great callers out there and I consider myself lucky if I ever win another one. I do enjoy calling though and I plan on going out to the worlds again to see how bad I can lose. (Chuckle)  The call I am blowing now is a Rich-N-Tone goose call called the “G3”.  I think it has a great sound and we are still working on final prototyping  stages, but I believe it will not only be a great contest call, but it should be a killer out in the field too. Easy to use, while producing great sounds.    

Field, thanks very much for your time and just one last thing before I let you go, could you please leave me with a tip on how to best hide a camera man or photographer in the field?

Field: As far as hiding a camera in the field, we always like to use a Power Hunter blind with no lid. We then use burlap or some other material to drape over the camera man. The other important thing to remember is to try to target sunny days. Cloudy days are very tough to video in for the birds can see EVERYTHING!!!  

Thanks again for your time Field. It’s been a pleasure and I wish you the best with Field Proven Productions, Habitat Flats Productions and your reemergence back into the competitive calling circuit.

For more information about Field Hudnall, his services and videos, or Habitat Flats Productions, check in at: 

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To purchase a copy or to view the trailer for Habitat Flat Production’s first project, F5 “Buried in Snows”...
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